Just bought my first mandolin!

[Br1ck]

If you are willing to spend about $1200, you can buy a very good A style. Good enough you can walk out of a store after having played the likes of Collings, Weber, and Northfield and think you have a pretty good mandolin at home. It will shift your thinking from if I only had a good mandolin, to if I could only play better. This is an invaluable lesson and well worth the price. I had already come to this realization when one day I took my Silverangel into Gryphon for an adjustment. While waiting I played a lot of nice mandolins. When my SA was brought to me to test, it was every bit as good, different yes, but good. Now I’ve finally put heavier strings on it, there are no excuses left.

If you are on a stricter budget, a Kentucky 900 will get you close. I think the Eastman 300 and 500 are good, but will certainly end up being a stepping stone. I am certainly NOT saying a $1200 mandolin is a cure for MAS, only a time delay.

Look in the classifieds now. Get what I’m talking about for less than $1k

[Belle Starr]

Because you can get an independently built instrument by an established American luthier in the same price range as a factory built import F5:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

I did not know this, thanks!

[Belle Starr]

I 100% agree with the above and I don't think you could find a better mandolin for the money. A US made mandolin from a small shop builder that has build many mandolins and doing it for a long time. Buy it, you will be glad you did.

I may be persuaded!

[allenhopkins]

Belle -- whatever happened to the Eastman MD805 you were checking out? That struck me as a pretty good deal, price-wise.

[yankees1]

That's a very good price for one of their top-end 800 series instruments. Play it and see if you like it.

I have never found the quality of Eastman mandolins to greatly improve with a higher number model . I had a 815 once and my 300 series Eastman was much better to my ears ! I had the same experience with other Eastman mandolins .

[Belle Starr]

Belle -- whatever happened to the Eastman MD805 you were checking out? That struck me as a pretty good deal, price-wise.

Hi, I did go and test it with the 3 chords and scale I know :0) It was nice. Then I picked up a $2000 mandolin and WOW, that was beautiful! I walked out with nothing, not sure what to do. They still have it as I just looked online. So still looking.

[Mark Gunter]

For some people, there can be a significant difference in the feel of different neck profiles, so for that reason among others, it's always best to try out different brands wherever you can, rather than relying solely on recommendations from other players. Eastman mandolins are great, but the feel of the neck is not for me. I would prefer the Kentucky. But many people prefer Eastman as a starter instrument. Just goes to my point. I know it's not possible for everyone to try before buying, but I think everyone would agree that trying out as many as you can get your hands on is a good idea if you can swing it.

[Simon DS]

...

[pops1]

I don't remember, not unusual for me, your price range but this seem like a great deal to me. Hand made and decent price.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

[Bill McCall]

The latest Ratliff A in the classifieds seems a great bargain. https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

NFI

[Jim Garber]

I don't remember, not unusual for me, your price range but this seem like a great deal to me. Hand made and decent price.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

The latest Ratliff A in the classifieds seems a great bargain. https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

NFI

I hear an echo in here.

[Belle Starr]

I don't remember, not unusual for me, your price range but this seem like a great deal to me. Hand made and decent price.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

Well, I said $700 but I can go higher, just thought I should be able to get a nice one for that. I am new and learning so much from all of you!!

[pheffernan]

Well, I said $700 but I can go higher, just thought I should be able to get a nice one for that. I am new and learning so much from all of you!!

In your opening post, you said that you’ve played a lot of guitar. Well, a common saying in these parts is that you should expect to pay twice as much for an archtop mandolin as you would for a flattop guitar of equal quality. So, a $700 archtop mandolin would be equivalent to a $350 flattop guitar, give or take.

[Eric F.]

If you can go to $950, buy the Ratliff today and don't look back. Killer deal on a quality luthier-made instrument from a known dealer with a good reputation.

[fatt-dad]

re: Mandolin-looking objects. You want solid wood and hand-carved. Plywood mandolins steam-pressed to give an arched-looking instrument are cheap and look, "Right." They are just different. Solid wood and hand-carved are details that matter.

Hand-carving an f-model takes more talent and time. Doesn't affect the outcome.

f-d

[allenhopkins]

Hi, I did go and test it with the 3 chords and scale I know :0) It was nice. Then I picked up a $2000 mandolin and WOW, that was beautiful! I walked out with nothing, not sure what to do. They still have it as I just looked online. So still looking.

A $2K mandolin should sound better than a $6-700 one. When I worked for an instrument dealer decades ago, he'd caution customers not to compare instruments they could afford, with those beyond their budgets. As he said, "The one you can afford to buy will sound cheaper, and you'll think you'll be disappointed with it."

Remember, you're starting out. The first mandolin you buy is unlikely to be the last one. Find one that's good, playable, and satisfactory until you "get good." Then re-evaluate, perhaps upgrade, perhaps decide it still meets all your needs.

Just my 2¢,

[Br1ck]

But starting out on a Ratliff will save you money in the end. Always buy the best you can. Mandolins like the Ratliff don’t last long. Many are looking for this type of deal.

[Belle Starr]

A $2K mandolin should sound better than a $6-700 one. When I worked for an instrument dealer decades ago, he'd caution customers not to compare instruments they could afford, with those beyond their budgets. As he said, "The one you can afford to buy will sound cheaper, and you'll think you'll be disappointed with it."

Remember, you're starting out. The first mandolin you buy is unlikely to be the last one. Find one that's good, playable, and satisfactory until you "get good." Then re-evaluate, perhaps upgrade, perhaps decide it still meets all your needs.

Just my 2¢,

I agree with your 2 cents, thanks!

[Belle Starr]

Well, I said $700 but I can go higher, just thought I should be able to get a nice one for that. I am new and learning so much from all of you!!

I have played some guitar :0) and this is good to know, thanks!!

- - - Updated - - -

[Belle Starr]

The latest Ratliff A in the classifieds seems a great bargain. https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152471#152471

NFI

checking it out!

[Br1ck]

I’m going to sound like a broken record and say, better mandolin= you’ll want to play a lot=get better faster.

[Belle Starr]

I’m going to sound like a broken record and say, better mandolin= you’ll want to play a lot=get better faster.

Good point!

[pheffernan]

checking it out!

Rarely are you going to find the kind of consensus evident in this thread. If you buy the Ratliff, you should be able to get your money out of it should you ever decide to do so. Were you to purchase a new import F-style, however, you’d lose ~30% in depreciation the minute that you opened the case.

[Br1ck]

If I were to be asked, by far the biggest contribution to my progress and enjoyment would be buying my Silverangel. All I wanted was to play it. I started playing scales. Wanted to get better. Wanted to hold it.

[Belle Starr]

If I were to be asked, by far the biggest contribution to my progress and enjoyment would be buying my Silverangel. All I wanted was to play it. I started playing scales. Wanted to get better. Wanted to hold it.

Hi, so there is the Silver Angel by Ratcliff, and the one listed for sale by Ratliff?? I have been in touch with Charles J. regarding the Ratliff. That is what I want, to just love to hold it and play it with fiery passion!